10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2019

In mid-December, I was birding along the Beljarica levee (Beh-LYAH-ritza), my local patch north of Belgrade, when something other than birds attracted my attention: three wild boars , appearing all black because they had just swam through the swamp to reach the bottom of the levee. I think all were males, at last two huge ones certainly were.

Serbia 246

Serbia Otters Boars Eagles 246

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2014

Highlight species: Ferruginous Duck , Goosander , Red-breasted Merganser , Red-crested Pochard , Greater Scaup , Velvet Scoter , Black-throated Diver. In late February and March, the only duck species that does not overwinter here is heading back – the Garganey. Ducks mostly migrate in November, reaching their peak by mid-December.

Serbia 240

Serbia Birds Ducks Eagles 240

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

The shallows are full of ducks in eclipse, a real puzzle that requires a bit of time and a sharp eye – something you usually reserve for warblers and such. Wigeons are only migrants and not a breeding species in Serbia and August is a bit too early for any longer distance duck movements. The autumn migration has clearly started.

Serbia 173

Serbia Protection Eagles Ducks 173

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 4, 2016

In front of us, the river is two miles wide… and it is paved with birds: smaller groups of Greater White-fronted and Greylag Geese , numerous Mute Swans and Mallards , plus Eurasian Teals , Gadwalls , Common Pochards , a few Ferruginous and Tufted Ducks , Common Goldeneyes and several Smews.

Geese 181

Geese Hunting Boars Birds 181